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Kenya Beaches – A Touch of Paradise
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The Kenyan coast is lined with pristine white sand beaches fringing the warm inviting waters of the Indian Ocean. Here the wilderness meets the sea, and the ocean itself holds a world of spectacular coral reefs teeming with life and colour. The coast is a place with a long and exotic history, its calm blue waters the traditional passage of the Arabian Spice Trade. Along the length of this coast, Arab and Portuguese forts, Old Towns and the overgrown, deserted ruins of Swahili outposts bear witness to this fascinating history. In the winding medieval streets and bustling markets of Lamu and Mombasa Old Town, life has continued unhurried and unchanged for more than 400 years. This blend of natural beauty and living history creates an exotic paradise unlike anywhere else on earth …
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Described as the ‘capital of the coast’ – and the hub of coastal activity, Mombasa is synonymous with the white sound beaches that line the Kenya coast. This is largely due to it being the international landing point for UK (and European) charters, for the cruise ship MS Royal Star, and for internal flights from Nairobi. Mombasa itself is an island, steeped in history and culture. A walk through the old town is like a walk through time from Arab rule, to Portuguese, and back to Arab. Through it all Mombasa was the centre for the African slave trade. Kenya’s Indian Ocean offers a truly tropical beach experience.
There are two main beach areas from Mombasa – North Coast and South Coast. They are named based on where from Mombasa the beach is located. A road runs along the coast north and south, and properties are generally off this road. Within each of these areas are a number of distinct beaches:
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South Coast Beaches
At Kisite-Mpunguti, a Marine Reserve has been established around beautiful Wasini Island, an ideal day trip for divers and snorkellers. The beaches are bordered by lush green coastal rainforests with prolific birdlife and a variety of wildlife including baboons, rare colobus monkeys and even leopards. A wide range of World Class resorts, centred around Diani Beach allow visitors to relax and enjoy this natural paradise with the best standards of accommodation, service and cuisine. Diani is one of the most popular beaches to the south – with a short transfer time to the airport and wide sandy beaches. The south coast also has many smaller quiet getaways such as Tiwi Beach, ideal for travellers looking for a low key break. Inland, the fertile hinterland of Kwale District consists of small villages inhabited by the Wakamba, Digo and Duruma tribes. Further south, the small fishing village of Shimoni is home to a series of deep mysterious coastal caves that stretch from the sea to deep into the jungles. Historically, these caves were long used as a refuge for Dhow Sailors, Arab slavers and explorers. Shimoni is also an excellent base for big game fishing in the waters of the Pemba Channel. Whether you are looking for a base to actively explore this fascinating region, or just somewhere to unwind and find peace, Kenya’s south coast has everything you could wish for. North Beach Beaches The coast is lined with pristine palm fringed beaches, and the calm inviting waters of the Indian Ocean. The beaches are broken by the wide mouth of Kilifi Creek, whose azure waters are a popular port of call on the international yachting circuit. The beaches of Nyali, Vipingo, Kikambala and Shanzu are home to a wide range of World Class resorts with fine cuisine and services, while the peaceful beach havens of Mtwapa and Takaungu offer an ideal escape from the outside world, with endless deserted beaches. The offshore reefs are alive with coral, myriad fish, sea turtles and dolphins. Both outer and inner reef walls offer world class diving with spectacular coral gardens and drop offs, and Kenya’s best wreck diving on the MV Dania.
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Lamu is like nowhere else, a peaceful tropical island where life is lived at its own relaxed rhythm. The island itself is a beautiful place of rolling dunes and endless beaches, where tiny villages nestle among coconut and mango plantations and lateen sailed dhows ply the waters. But Lamu’s real attraction is its old town. The town of Lamu began life as a 14th century Swahili settlement, but the island has seen many visitors and influences, including Portuguese explorers, Turkish traders and the Omani Arabs. All left their mark, but Lamu developed its own particular culture, which has ultimately endured. Lamu’s narrow streets remain unchanged, and in the markets and squares around the fort life moves at the same pace as it always has. There are no vehicles on this island, and the donkey and the dhow remain the dominant forms of transport. The people of Lamu are great believers in tradition and custom, and this is a strong society built on respect for the past. For the traveller, Lamu is a hypnotically exotic experience, made even more enjoyable by the relaxed and welcoming attitude of the locals. To visit Lamu is to enter another world, of which the visitor finds themselves becoming a part. Life slows down, and long days are spent strolling along the waterfront, exploring the town or relaxing on the beaches. Dhow safaris can take you beyond Lamu into the surrounding archipelago, where isolated villages, ancient ruins and a few luxurious and exclusive resorts lie hidden among the islands of Manda, Siyu, Pate and Kiwayu. This idyllic island speaks to the heart and soul. A trip to Lamu is a romantic experience that can become a life long affair – a great destination for honeymooners! Getting to Lamu Lamu is best reached by air. There are scheduled flights daily from Nairobi, Mombasa, Diani Beach and Malindi. The island is serviced by an airstrip on neighbouring Manda Island. The strip can also be used by private charters. A dhow ferries arriving passengers to either Lamu town or Shela. Many yachts also come to Lamu, often sheltering in the channel near Shela.
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The small town of Malindi is at the centre of a strip of idyllic tropical beaches offering the visitor a range of world class resorts and quiet relaxing hideaways. Further south, the sleepy village of Watamu is fronted by wide white beaches. This tranquil haven is home to several well-established resorts, and many private guesthouses are scattered through the forest along the deserted shore. At Watamu a Marine National Park has been established, an ideal day trip for divers and snorkellers alike. Northwest of Malindi is the spectacular Marafa Depression, locally known as Nyari and popularly known as Hell’s Kitchen. An extensive series of sandstone gorges and sheer gullies, this unique and otherworldly landscape has become part of local folklore. The thick jungles of the Arabuko Sokoke Forest reserve hide a world of wonders. In the cool of the forest winding paths will take you in search of rare endemic birds and mammals and visiting herds of elephant. The forest holds another secret: the lost town of Gedi, a deserted Swahili trading town hidden deep in the forests, whose winding passages and crumbling walls tell of a long and mysterious past. Getting to Malindi and Watamu Malindi and Watamu are ust a short transfer away from Mombasa (about two hours drive). Air Kenya and Kenya Airways also fly into Malindi from Nairobi. To request a brochure, please email: kenya@hillsbalfour.com  What better way to enjoy a truly unique holiday experience than to go on safari in Kenya’s world famous wildlife parks, followed by a relaxing break by the white sandy beaches and glistening waters of the Indian Ocean. On safari, come face to face with the ‘Big Five’ – elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo. Discover the multi-coloured underwater world of coral reefs and tropical fish on Mombasa’s coast and above all be mesmerised by the people and culture at the very heart of Kenya. First Choice Tropical First Choice Holidays will be travelling direct to Kenya (MBA) with our in house airline, First Choice Airways, departing from London Gatwick (on a weekly basis), starting 1st November 2005. Operating 7 Mombasa Beach hotels with the option to twin each holiday with one of our 3 safaris, First Choice Holidays has developed a product range to satisfy all needs and wants at affordable prices. Hotels and Resorts 1 x 3 star All Inclusive – Bamburi Safaris
Beach stays The white sandy beaches in Kenya are a truly stunning sight. The vast beds of coral are perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving so your active holiday need not stop on arrival to Mombasa. However, the hotels all offer a great level of service and quality and it is here that true indulgence and relaxation can be found. Undoubtedly, Kenya provides a magnificent and unique holiday experience!
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Introduction
Mombasa
The purest white beaches are generally considered to be on the south coast around Mombasa. The offshore reefs are alive with coral, myriad fish, sea turtles and dolphins. Both outer and inner reef walls offer world class diving with spectacular coral gardens and drop offs. 
Lamu
Malindi and Watamu
